Language requirements for study programs taught in German

What you need to know if your first language is not German but you want to study at the University of Stuttgart.

Studying at our University requires proficiency in the German language. International prospective students will be asked to furnish relevant proof that they have it; however, they also may be able to take a language course at the university.

The teaching language of the Bachelor’s programs and of most Master’s programs at the University of Stuttgart is German. Therefore, a good knowledge of the German language is absolutely necessary for successful studies. The University of Stuttgart requires proof of German language proficiency from all study applicants. It is important to start learning German while you are still in your country of origin (for example at a Goethe Institute).

The following examinations and certificates are accepted as proof of German language proficiency:

the passed partial examination in German in the assessment test of a preparatory college ("Examination of the assessment of suitability of foreign study applicants for the admission to a study program at a university in the Federal Republic of Germany")

German Language Diploma of the “Kultusministerkonferenz/KmK” (standing conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs) – Level II (DSD II)

Applicants that can furnish one of the following certifications are exempt from the language test requirement:

German language attestation in the French Diplôme du Baccalauréat (= high school diploma) earned after attending the bilingual German-French branch of a secondary school

US Advanced Placement Exam (AP Exam) in the German Language

School leaving certificate in upper level secondary education of the German-speaking Community of the Kingdom of Belgium

Secondary school leaving certificates from the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg

Diplomas from secondary schools in the Autonomous Province Bozen-South Tyrol (Italy) where German is the language of instruction

School leaving certificate from the German language international section of the Liceo Gimnasiale “Luigi Galvani“ in Bologna, Italy

Bilingual German-Irish secondary school leaving certificate from the St. Kilian German School in Dublin, Ireland

Other potential exemptions are decided case-by-case upon application by candidate students to the head of the learning area “German as a Second Language” in the Language Center of the University of Stuttgart.

You can apply for exemption if you meet one of the following criteria:

You spent a significant amount of time at German-speaking schools while obtaining your education in Germany or abroad

You can demonstrate that you acquired German as your first or second language (e.g., South Tyrol, German-speaking minorities)

You are embarking on post-graduate studies and your supervising professor or the responsible dean’s office agree in writing that you can be exempted

The University of Stuttgart may allow prospective students to enroll in a language course with subsequent studies:

Depending on the level of existing knowledge, the University’s language courses last from between 3 weeks (TestDaf-Training [de]) to two semesters (basic and intermediate course)

A minimum of basic learning equivalent to 500 hours must have been taken previously!

The language course starts off with a placement test that determines assignment to the basic or intermediate level. On completing the language course, you can take the TestDaF exam in the Intercultural Instruction Department